In an exclusive, Politico reports that state Attorney General Rob Bonta won’t enter California’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

“Kamala Harris would be a great governor,” Bonta told Politico Playbook while admitting he hadn’t spoken directly to Harris about her plans. “I would support her if she ran. I’ve always supported her in everything she’s done. She would be field-clearing.”

Aides to Harris say she is weighing her options after returning home to Los Angeles.

Bonta, a Democrat, said that he’ll seek reelection to the AG’s post. With Donald Trump back in the White House, Bonta said he wants to lead California’s legal defense against the president’s executive orders on issues such as immigration, gender, and climate change.

“It’s important to always assess the moment that you’re in,” Bonta told Politico. “The political world changes in seconds, overnight at times.”

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Even with Bonta’s decision not to seek the state’s top job, there is a crowded field of Democrats vying to succeed termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond are in the race.

In addition to Harris, two other powerhouse Dems have yet to make their intentions known: former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and Xavier Becerra, a former Health and Human Services Secretary under President Joe Biden. Becerra is also a former state Attorney General and seven-term member of the House of Representatives.

Read more at this link.

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